Parkrun partners with Alzheimer's Association, and signposted a link to a new health Q and A style assessment or risks and things you can do to improve your chances. A new fact for me was that 40% of the risks can be ameliorated by health choices. One thing leads to another though, do I really want to know, when I've seen up close the impact of this horrible disease. But I'm a realist and this past 12 months has shown me it's much better to be informed and take responsibility and control for the things you can change. So I dive in. The assessment looks at how well you are doing on the 40% of stuff you can change.
The feedback is very positive on the whole and my running and Parkrun have made significant contributions to this assessment, both for the running but also the commitment to social and community engagement. Other similar activities would trigger the same outcome. So a big plus.
But interestingly another fact popped up indicating some links with hearing loss and Alzheimer's with a link to an online test recently developed by the RNiD. So off over to take the test. A really interesting diagnostic test. My results were sufficiently problematic for the RNiD to generate a letter to present to my GP referring me for a full hearing assessment!! I've neglected this issue,which I had some awareness, for a whole host of reasons re health services demand etc but time to take responsibility again.....
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Chinkoflight
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Hope your GP hearing assessment goes well. We are living with Alzheimers at present in a family member, so means both me and my husband have had it in family. I understand the research to be that the more you do regarding exercise and brain health the later it will develop.... I.e. you can't cure it but you can really delay it starting. ?? Seeing someone you love go through it really changes your perspective on life. All the best.
Hi, as ever these types of questionaire epidemiology studies are population based and can't give an individual risk prediction. All you can do is try and tilt the environment in your favour. The hearing test was practical so is individual. I have some other interventions next week so it will wait a week or two before I see the GP on this. He needs to stay focused on my immediate needs!
I look at running in a holistic way I hope, hence sharing this. It's why I find Parkrun such an interesting experience. Today's race director was just brill.
Really interesting.. I'm researching regularly as Mr OF is on the Dementia journey. Having first hand knowledge of this with my Mum and Husband's stepfather, it is something i like to keep abreast of.
I have been a tad lax, lately, after the Covid slowed me up and the post viral effects afterwards!
Oh dear, what to say. My dad had vascular dementia which was long and drawn out, he recognised it late in his 70's and made a decision one day to stop driving. He was physically healthy, walked daily and got lost a few times! The progression went on for 14 years post formal diagnosis the last 6 in a care home until 93. My m-i-l had Alzheimer's that looking back started in her late 60's but functioned OK until late 70's then progressed over three years or so in a home until 81. She never accepted she had a problem and was quite angry about her care. It's tough and finding ways to hold on to dignity can be so hard.Being human is just such hard work at times.
The link between Alzheimer's and hearing loss is very interesting. As a society we tend to neglect our hearing as we underestimate the impact of losing it. When I was younger I had a friend who was deaf from birth and I saw how difficult life was for her and how isolating when you struggle to communicate. To lose your hearing later in life must be even harder. I hope you don't wait too long for your referral and it can be sorted for you.
Thanks for the reply. I think it was interesting that the test has clearly confirmed issues that I was aware of but hadn't thought merited doing anything about. It's that issue of how much do we put up with and tacitly accept or disregard because we are getting old. Not least if we think we are causing a fuss or draining resources!
I think we're all a bit like that, especially after the last two years, but if we put things off we often end up costing the NHS more in the long run. It's hard to judge sometimes and I'm probably the worst culprit!
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